GOVERNMENT DELAY

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 197, 20 August 1919, Page 13

GOVERNMENT DELAY

IN FINANCING SOLDIERS

A SERIOUS MATTER.

The delay of the Government in financing soldiers who have bought stock or property formed the subject of some comment at the meeting of the executive of .the Keturned Soldiers , Association la*t evening. The Auckland Stock Auctioneers' Association wrote enclosm;: a. resolution from a Southern Association, to the effect that no stock be sold. under existing regulations, to returned soldiers who are assisted by the (Jovernment except for cash. In a covering letter it was stated that the members of the Auctioneers' Association thought it should be pos-ible to make sonic simple an.l practical arrangements for the purdiase of stock on behalf of rP ~ turned soldiers which would be quite satisfactory to all parties. Many infitances were cited m" undue delay in jiavmem for -to.-k bougrht with th« approval of the district rangers. One ot these, it was abated, was over twelve months old. If it was not possible for the (iovernmont u> arrange to put the vouchers through in time for payment ac.-o"-ijjnjr to the conditions of sale, the member* of the Association thought it only reasonable and equitable that interest should be f>aij as in the «sc of private individual?.

Mr. Elliot said the question was a serious one for the soldiers in th<- country. A friend of his recently bought a draught horse. He 'had to wait three months before he could fiet his money. Then he got another account with 7 <>' added for interest. Evewmally the <;.ivernment paid the amount, but cha:r<red the 7 l> to the soldier"s account. Mr. Garmson: It is -nothing but elackjif«:? on the part of the CovemmeTit. It -nas decided to make representation.- to the Government regarding the matter.